Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson returns to work after car accident WITH VIDEO

Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson gives a kiss to his daughter Mary during his meeting with the media on his first day back at work, Tuesday October 30, 2012. (Oakland Press Photo By: Vaughn Gurganian)

Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson gets emotional while talking about his accident during his meeting with the media on his first day back at work, Tuesday October 30, 2012. (Oakland Press Photo By: Vaughn Gurganian)

Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, noticeably thinner than the plethora of photographs depicting a long career in politics and with a thinner voice, returned to work Tuesday after an extended absence while recuperating from broken bones and other injuries sustained in an Aug. 10 car crash in Auburn Hills.

Besides media, the conference room at the county's executive office building was packed with county managers and deputies welcoming Patterson back to the public office he has held for two decades.

Patterson was wheeled in by his daughter Mary in a wheelchair to a standing ovation.

Watch a report on Patterson's return to work during today's News at Noon.

"I've been gone a long time," Patterson said "It was a freak accident."

Patterson's voice broke as he talked of being unconscious for 17 days and fears he wouldn't survive.

"I don't know how to say this without crying, but today I walked 168 steps," Patterson said. "But who's counting?"

Patterson publicly thanked his staff for their functioning during his absence. He choked up again when talking about the cards, prayers and well wishes during his recovery, reading one from Democrat Dave Coulter, mayor of Ferndale and former county commissioner.

Patterson suffered a broken angle, wrist, leg and hip in the accident. Patients with that many broken bones have a less than 10 percent chance of surviving, Patterson said "I had all the odds against me but all the prayers for me," he said.

His daughter Mary over much of the news conference after Patterson's opening remarks, and said she'd been prepping Patterson for his return. "We knew Dad was back when the jokes returned," she said.

"This was a pure miracle and a pure act of God that he's here," she said, talking at length of his recovery. She said doctors gave him a three percent chance of living at one point because of the number of broken bones he suffered.

His daughter made an appeal to voters to "give him back his job."

"As a daughter, I can't wait to see the things he's going to cook up in the next few years," she said.

In a brief question and answer session, Patterson said he doesn't remember the accident except it was a Friday until he came out of his coma. As to whether he can do the job, he said he's not a micro manager, but retains the final say on policy over programs.

Patterson also addressed a question about his ability to campaign with just a week to go.

"I'm ending my 20th year, people know me," he said, noting his name recognition is above 90 percent. "I'm in good shape. I'll be just fine on election day."

Patterson's opponent in next week's election, Kevin Howley from Huntington Woods, released his own statement in advance of Patterson's news conference.

"I believe Oakland County voters have a very clear choice in this election," Howley said. "I have offered a detailed vision on how to move Oakland County forward, focusing on the right priorities for Oakland County residents. The Patterson administration has offered nothing new and has simply relied on scare tactics. Our balanced budget is not at risk. The risk is that we are falling behind because the Patterson administration has fallen asleep. Our public schools are closing and class sizes are increasing. The county landscape is littered with empty malls and business districts. Housing prices have plummeted and young families are not choosing Oakland County to raise their families. It's time for a leader that acknowledges and understands the challenges facing a 21st century Oakland County. That leader is not Brooks Patterson."

Patterson and Cram were in Auburn Hills, traveling eastbound on Walton Boulevard in a Chrysler car, when Prainito, driving a 2012 Volkswagen Passat, turned left from Walton onto Opdyke Road and into the Chrysler's path.